This September when hearing the news of Assassins Creed III: Liberation getting an HD release into early 2014 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, it got me reminiscing.
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Liberation was one of my main reasons for buying the Vita when it was first released and despite having shaky feelings on the prospect I ended up completely and utterly enjoying my experience. Yes the game had a good set of flaws but inevitably a lot of my apologetic behavior came from the fact that I fell in love with the protagonist, Aveline de Grandpré much more than I ever expected. She was enthralling in the sense that despite her not wearing the signature hood of all the Assassins she composed herself as one in an almost enigmatically mysterious way. Enthralled I just kept on playing and by the end of my journey I had already played her mainstory twice in less than a span of three months.
Coming from a staunch Assassins Creed fan from the very first game AC1, I wasn't the type that was clamoring for a female assassin like a lot of gamers. My standpoint remained thus - if they did decide to cast a female lead, where she was would matter, the history would matter and I didn't want them to just create one for the sake of satiating peoples' demands which in my opinion were unfair complaints. What mattered to me was for the protagonist to be fleshed out, to make sense, to be engaging and properly executed regardless of gender or race. (Notwithstanding the attachment I knew I would have for either if it came to it.)
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So when Aveline's background description was relieved I had immediate fears. Would they be too afraid to take history by the horns? Were they going to be too politically correct? Would the fact that her being of mixed African race and a woman feel unrealistic in the time period? Was she likeable? In my mind they had already made the mistake of not including the signature hood into her character design. It made her stick out in a way that left me uneasy.
But it all changed as I went through her narrative, she began to mean things to me; some that I didn't even want to admit to myself for the longest time.
For one thing she's a female character free of most harmful sexual tropes (as well as "tropes" within the Assassins Creed franchise ex, prostitutes, dancers, etc) which greatly exudes the fact that she is first and foremost, an assassin. But she throughout the story represents many things, a woman, a daughter, a person of mixed heritage trying to find her place in 1700's society and someone that knows a part of her is missing.
Something I greatly adored was the fact that I found the perfect balance within her personality, femininity and character design. She's a hurt individual but Aveline's full of sass, wit, charm and seriousness when needed be. She's strong and stubborn in her beliefs in a way that truly reflects the sad circumstances of her story. And as a person of conviction isn't afraid to use intimidation to get what she wants but bittersweet in a way that life was pulling her in different directions of gray. Torn in the way of her inherited values and her own core beliefs. It was unpredictable in a way that it's partner, Assassins Creed III wasn't.
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In terms of her wardrobe, her assassin clothing is functional, practical and doesn't have cleavage for the sake of titillation like many dishearteningly numbing AC fanart pieces. Yet her lady outfit clearly embraces her ladylike qualities in a way of class and manner that I can't help but have my respect for Ubisoft reach tenfold. It works and she's elegant. The prominence of the hidden blade is also something to be admired in comparison to the ACIII gameplay and it's easy to note that Aveline is a close combat fighter.
What shocked me was the fact that Ubisoft wasn't afraid to put the stops where they needed to, they didn't shy away from the poverty of people, social injustices and racial undertones. The fact that they strung it so well makes me nod a head in approval. It may not matter to some but I appreciate the fact that they don't ignore the plights of the time period despite how harsh they may seem under the oppression of racism. Some incidents are in your face such as the mere fact that the Spanish Templars are the main focal point pushing the capture of Louisiana and controlling the slave trade in New Orleans. The darkness of Avelines' birth even more cringing when reading her mothers diary who was a slave.
Others are an eyeglass into what it would truly be like for a dignified mulatto woman to live around those of fairer skinned company that don't truly accept her. Aveline never truly ever gets the rights to actually "own" her family company for example, even though the efforts of the work is done mostly by her and Gerald Blanc. In one sequence around the last half of Aveline's game where she enters a festive reception in the rich district at the Capitain's Ball, a guard asks permission to have a dance with her. Through the whispers of other guests you can hear a woman around the same age as Aveline make a comment that even though she knew Aveline since they were young; she's aghast at her presence. The woman clearly emphasis's the origins of Aveline's birth and Aveline doesn't make a single comment about it as said person is supposed to be an acquaintance of hers.
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In the ACIV recordings, Aveline talks about the distasteful actions that men took towards her and how she had to deal with it, being cat called for example. The powerful part was how Aveline realized in retrospect that she didn't even come to see it because of how she was brought up and it was only until believing in freedom that she broke herself from it. Nevertheless you see her insecurities of wanting love and the curiosity of desiring a mans' touch which reflect those of a young woman brought up in the her time. However she had to focus on the Brotherhood, her behavior as the daughter of a nobleman and ultimately sacrificed that side of her social life for the greater good.
It's realistic in it's tone and she's realistic in the fact that no matter how far-fetched it may seem to have a woman of her heritage and gender to steer her own game, she's understandable and works with her premise well. For those who have played Liberation, yes, she does do justice to her representation. And yes, this game is for everybody.
However one main thing that truly disappointed me was on the fact relating to how she joined the Brotherhood, it's only mentioned and not truly shown which should be something crucial in every single AC installment. It's poorly done. Her journey to New York is very short and the introduction to Connor within her story is rather dry despite him being the main catalyst for her finding conviction in the Brotherhood despite her uncertainties. Her narrative ends in a very bittersweet way much like AC3 and there's no feeling of closure to her own genuine happiness. AC4's bonus of Aveline only adds to the fire. It's like foreholding a treat for a child and never actually letting them eat it. It's not a proper ending to anything with all her potential going to waste.
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Nevertheless with the HD set to release this January 15th, 2014 with a complete graphical overhaul, remastered music, revamped gameplay and new missions I have hope that Ubisoft will learn from their mistakes and perfect ACIII: Liberation. I urge those to play this game and give her story a chance. In a sense one could call this a last ditch effort of mine before the game comes out but either way she deserves better than to be considered a sub-category.
I'm thankful that despite the reasons of her first conceptual role to be the lover of Connor Kenway to his installment, that the developers/writers felt invested with her enough to give her, her own game and stayed true to it. In a sense Aveline's in a safer spot than Connor considering that they still had the ability to add her as content in AC4 *SPOILER* not to mention being the decedent of Eve. *END SPOILER*
Whether this release will simply be a farewell to her story or a potential for Ubisoft to create more depth to her and dare I even say a sequel in the future; I am happy. Aveline de Grandpré is one of my heroes.
Thank you.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Also a special thanks to Amaltheaelanor for helping me sort my thoughts into this piece and ultimately being inspiration. You're one lovely lady.
Assassinita, Mary Ann or simply Nita for short is your average Canadian lady incognito who loves hockey, traveling and a good laugh. With a playful personality and capricious hobbies, it's not hard to keep this one satisfied. But watch out for the blade, the bloodlust can make even the sweetest go mental...